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Patented June 2, 1942 UNITED MINING APPARATUS Charles F. Osgood, Claremont, N. H., assignor to Sullivan Machinery Company, a corporation of Massachusetts Continuation of application Serial No. 152,052,

July 6, 1937. Serial No. 325,487

5 Claims.

This invention relates to mining apparatus, and more particularly to improvements in coal mining apparatus of the combined horizontal and shear cutter, track supported and guided type having improved adjustable kerf cutting mechanism.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved coal mining apparatus. Another object is to provide an improved coal mining apparatus having an improved adjustable supporting structure for the kerf cutting mechanism. A further object is to provide an improved adjustable kerf cutting mechanism for a coal mining apparatus of the combined horizontal and shear cutter type whereby the kerf cutter may be adjusted through a relatively wide range with respect to the coal face. Still another object is to provide an improved adjustable lzerf cutting mechanism for a coal mining apparatus of the above character whereby kerfs may be cut in the coal face at any desired location between the mine roof and mine floor and between and in the ribs. A still further object is to provide an improved coal mining apparatus having novel arrangements and combinations of parts. Other objections will, however subsequently more fully appear.

This application is a continuation of my application Serial No. 152,052, filed July 6, 1937, which has now become abandoned.

In the accompanying drawings there are shown for purposes of illustration two forms which the invention may assume in practice.

In these drawings- Fig. 1 is a top plan View of a coal mining apparatus constructed in accordance with one illustrative embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the coal mining apparatus shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged view in longitudinal vertical section taken substantially on line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a cross sectional view taken substantially on line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view taken substantially on line 5-5 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken substantially on line S-B of Fig. 1.

Fig. 7 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially On line l-l' of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a view showing the hydraulic fluid system.

Fig. 9 is a top plan view of a coal mining apparatus constructed in accordance with a modified form of the invention.

Fig, 10 is a side elevational view of the mining apparatus shown in Fig. 9, with the cutter head rotated into top cutting position.

Fig. 11 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view taken substantially on line I l--I of Fig. 10.

(ill. 26228) This application March 23, 1940,

Fig. 12 is an enlarged cross sectional View taken substantially on line |2l2 of Fig. 10.

Fig. 13 is an enlarged view in longitudinal vertical section taken substantially on line i3-l3 of Fig. 9.

Fig, 14 is a cross sectional view taken substantially on line i4-l4 of Fig. 12.

Fig. 15 is a diagrammatic view showing the hydraulic fluid system.

In both illustrative embodiments of the invention, there is shown a coal mining apparatus of the combined horizontal and shear cutter, track supported and guided type, although it will be evident that various features of the invention be incorporated in coal mining apparatus of various other types. ing apparatus may be tractor-tread supported and guided or supported for sliding movement on its own bottom over the mine floor and fed by flexible feeding means, in the manners well known to those skilled in the art.

In the illustrative construction shown in Figs. 1 to 8, inclusive, the reference character I designates a self-propelled portable base having mounted thereon a horizontal turntable 2 on which is supported the improved adjustable supporting structure, generally designated 3, for the kerf cutting mechanism 4. The portable base I may be of the same general character as that disclosed in a copending application of one Joseph F. Joy, Serial No. 20,826, filed May 10,

1935, now matured into Patent No. 2,229,987, patprojecting frame portion 8 of the truck frame supports annular bearings 9, in which a circular portion ii! of the upstanding frame I l of the turntable is journaled, the turntable frame being held in position within its bearings by a bottom retaining ring l2 bolted to the bottom of the frame and underlying the horizontal frame portion 8, in the manner shown in Fig. 3. As disclosed in the above mentioned Joy application, the turntable may be rotated relative to the truck frame by means of a pair of parallel hydraulic cylinders I3, I55 supported on the truck frame at the rear of the turntable and containing reciprocable pistons having rearwardly extending piston rods M carrying brackets l5 supporting guide sleeves l6. Guided within an arcuate cable-receiving groove Also, if desired, the minll formed about the upper outer edge of the turntable frame are cables l8, it, these cables being fixed at one end to the turntable frame and passing around guide sheaves l9, l9 journaled on the truck frame at the rear of the turntable. The cables extend from the guide sheaves l9 rearwardly along the sides of the cylinders and around the guide sheaves it, and are fixed at their other ends at to the truck frame. When hydraulic pressure is supplied to one or the other of these cylinders, one of the pistons thereof moves to deflect one of the cables rearwardly, thereby to effect rotation of the turntable. By trapping the liquid in the cylinders, the pistons of these cylinders may be locked to hold the turntable against rotation. As is also described in the above mentioned Joy application, supported within the truck frame is a motor 2i having its power shaft connected through pluralspeed transmission mechanism, to the truck wheels for propelling the apparatus in either of opposite directions along the mine trackway at either a relatively slow speed appropriate for cutting or a relatively high transport speed, and this motor also drives a hydraulic pump22 arranged in a fluid reservoir 23 for supplying liquid under pressure to the various hydraulically operated devices of the apparatus, in the manner to be later explained.

Now referring to the improved adjustable supporting structure 3. it will be noted that pivotally mounted on a horizontal axis at 2 on the turntable frame for swinging movement in a vertical direction relative to the turntable is an elongated boom 25 comprising an inner or rear boom portion 26 and an outer or front boom portion 21. The outer boom portion is supported by the inner boom portion and is pivotally mounted on the outer extremity of the inner boom portion on a horizontal axis at 28, parallel with the pivotal axis 24, to swing in a vertical direction relative to the inner boom portion. In this instance, the rearward end of the inner boom portion 26 lies downwardly within the open center of the turntable frame and the pivotal axis 24 thereof is preferably located nearer the front edge of th turntable. The rearward end of the outer boom portion 27 has projecting side portions or arms 29 pivotally connected at 3& to rigid links 3! extending in parallel relation along the opposite sides of the inner boom portion and in turn pivotally connected at their rearward ends at 32 to the turntable frame. The axes of pivotal connection of the links with the turntable frame are parallel to the axes of pivotal connection of the links with the outer boom portion, and the link pivot axes are parallel to the pivotal axes 24 and 28 of the inner and outer boom portions. The points of pivotal connection of the links 3! with the turntable frame provide stationary reactance points, so that when the inner boom portion is swung vertically about its pivotal axis relative to the turntable, the outer boom portion is always automatically simultaneously swung about its axis of pivotal connection with the inner boom portion, and, as a result, the outer boom portion swings in a vertical direction through a relatively greater angle than the angle of vertical swinging movement of the inner boom portion.

It will thus be seen that when the inner boom portion is swung through a relatively small angle, the outer boom portion swings both with the inner boom portion and relative to the latter through a relatively great angle, and, as a re sult, the range of vertical adjustment of the kerf cutting mechanism is greatly increased. Mounted on the outer boom portion 21 is a head 33 rotatable about an axis extending longitudinally of the outer boom portion at right angles to the pivotal axis 28, and pivotally supported on said rotatable head at 34 on an axis at right angles to the head axis, is a cutter support 35. Swivelled on the cutter support at 36 is a kerf cutter 31 of the kerf cutting mechanism, The rotatable head 33 comprises a tubular portion 38 journaled in a bearing sleeve 39 supported within a frame til, the tubular portion 38 and the frame 40 constituting elements of the outer boom portion 27. Fixed to the tubular portion 38 is an annulus ll having secured thereto a retaining ring 52 cooperating with an annular flange 43 formed on the outer end of the frame 40 for retaining the rotatable head in position on the latter. Fixed to the outer end of the tubular portion 33 of the rotatable head is a flanged member 44, to which is secured a flange d5 of a yoke-shaped frame 46. This yoke-shaped frame has side arms 37, ll supporting bearing sleeves, in which are pivotally mounted cylindric trunnions 48 formed integral with the sides of the cutter support 35. Swivelly mounted on bearing sleeves supported by a cylindric bearing support 49 is an annular bearing portion 55 of a hanger frame 5!. The kerf cutter 3'3 is in the form of an elongated plane cutter bar 52 carried by the hanger frame 5! and having guided for circulation about its margin an endless cutter chain 53. The hanger frame may be locked indifferent angular positions by a locking pin 54 guided on the cutter support and insertible in any one of a series of apertures 55 on the hanger frame 5E.

The driving means for the endless cutter chain of the kerf cutter comprises a motor 55 mounted at the rearward end of the inner boom portion 26 and having its power shaft 51 arranged with its axis extending longitudinally of the inner boom portion. Keyed to the forward end of the motor power shaft is a coupling member 58 splined at 55% to a shaft co suitably journaled within the inner boom portion. Keyed to the forward end of the shaft to is a bevel gear 6! meshing, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, with a bevel gear 62 keyed to a shaft 63 and rotatable upon an axis alined with the pivotal axis 28 of the outer boom portion. The shaft of is horizontally disposed and extends transversely of the inner boom portion and is suitably journaled in bearings supported thereby. The bevel gear 52 meshes with a bevel gear 65 keyed to a shaft 65 suitably journaled within the outer boom portion and in turn having keyed thereto at its forward end a bevel gear 6 3. As shown in Fig. 7, the bevel gear 66 meshes with a gear Si in turn meshing with a gear 58 keyed to a shaft 69, herein alined with the pivotal axis of the cutter support 35. The gear 63 and shaft 59 are suitably journaled within one of the yoke frame arms 51 and the adjacent outter support trunnion 48, as shown in Fig, 7, and secured to and driven by the shaft 69 is a bevel gear ltl meshing with a bevel gear ll journaled on a shaft '12 alined with the kerf cutter pivot and connected to the shaft by a disc clutch it. This clutch is set at a predetermined load and is adapted to slip upon overloading of the cutter chain, automatically to disconnect the shaft l2 from the gear. The shaft 12 is suitably journaled within the cutter support 35 and has keyed thereto, and drives, a chain sprocket 14 which engages and drives the endless cutter chain 53. Due to the particular arrangement of the driving gears with respect to the pivotal axes chain 53. Due to the particular arrangement of the driving gears with respect to the pivotal axes of the outer boom portion, rotatable head, tiltable cutter support and swivelled hanger frame for the cutter bar, the cutter chain may be driven by the motor 55 irrespective of the adjusted position of the various parts.

The hydraulically operated means for swinging the boom in a vertical direction relative to the turntable, for rotating the cutter head 33 and for swinging the cutter support 35 relative to the cutter head, will now be described. As shown most clearly in Fig. 3, pivotally mounted on a horizontal shaft l1 supported within brackets 18 integral with the turntable frame near the forward edge of the turntable, are hydraulic lifting cylinders F9. The shaft IT also preferably provides a pivotal support for the rear ends of the parallel links 3|, 3|, and the cylinders, in this instance, are therefore swingable in vertical planes about an axis coincident with the pivot 32 of the links. Reciprocable in the cylinders 19 are pistons having their piston rods 8| extending forwardly and upwardly through the packed upper heads of the cylinders. The outer ends of the piston rods are pivotally connected at 82, on axes parallel with the pivotal axes of the cylinders, to depending lugs 83 formed integral with the bottom front portion of the inner boom portion 25. It will be evident that the relation of the axes of pivotal connection of the boom parts, the links, lifting cylinders and piston rods and the arrangement of the parts, may be varied without departing from the spirit of the invention. When hydraulic pressure is supplied to one end or the other of the cylinders 19, the boom 25 may be swung either upwardly or downwardly about its pivotal axis relative to the turntable, and when liquid is trapped within these cylinders, the boom may be locked in its adjusted position. The cutter head rotating means comprises, as shown most clearly in Fig, 5, a reversible hydraulic motor 85 of a conventional design, having its power shaft connected to a shaft 86 suitably journaled within the boom frame 40 and having fixed thereto and driving a worm 81 meshing with a worm wheel 88 formed on the annulus 4! of the cutter head. When the worm gearing is driven by the motor 85, the cutter head may be rotated in its bearing on the boom frame 46, and the worm gear teeth are self-locking for automatically locking the cutter head in its adjusted position. The swinging means for the cutter support 35 comprises a hy- I:

draulic cylinder 99 pivotally mounted at 9|, on an axis parallel to the cutter support pivot axis, on alined pivot pins 522 supported within projecting brackets 93 formed integral with the cutter head annulus M. This cylinder contains a reciprocable piston 94 having its piston rod 95 extending forwardly through the packed front head of the cylinder and pivotally connected at 95, on an axis parallel to the pivotal axis of the cylinder, to projecting arms 9'! formed integral erated devices, as shown in Fig. 8, comprises a conduit lOO leading from the discharge side of the pump 22 to the supply passage of a valve box I0! mounted on the truck frame. A discharge conduit l02 leads from the discharge passage of the valve box back to the reservoir 23. Contained in the valve box are control valves I03, I04, I05 and IE6, each having an operating handle. The bore containing the valve I03 is connected by conduits I01 and IE8 to the forward ends of the turntable rotating cylinders 13, I3, while the rear ends of these cylinders are connected by a conduit I99 for draining back to the reservoir any liquid leaking past the pistons to the rear ends of the cylinders. The bore containing the valve 104 is connected by conduits H0 and III to the opposite ends of the boom swing cylinders 19, I9. The bore containing the valve IE5 is connected by conduits H2 and I I3 to the opposite sides of the reversible head rotating motor 85, while the bore containing the valve I06 is connected by conduits H4 and l 25 to the opposite ends of the tilting cylinder for the cutter support. It will thus be seen that the valves may be operated to supply liquid pressure to one or the other of the cylinders l3, Hi, to either end of the cylinders 19 and 9!! and to either side of the reversible motor 85, by connecting certain of the conduits to the supply passage of the valve box and the others to the discharge passage. The particular valve box structure may be similar to that described in the above mentioned Joy application.

The general mode of operation of the form of the invention above described is as follows: The apparatus may be propelled along the mine trackway from one working place to another and during the cutting operation, through the truck wheel propelling mechanism driven by the motor 2 I, in the manner clearly described in the above mentioned Joy application. When the working place is reached and it is desired to out a horizontal kerf at the floor level in accordance with the arcwall method of cutting, the turntable 2 and the boom 25 may be adjusted relative to the base to locate the kerf cutter at one side of the mine trackway at the level of the mine floor, with the tip end of the kerf cutter at the coal face near the right hand rib. The motor 56 may then be operated to effect circulation of the cutter chain about the margin of the cutter bar of the kerf cutter, and, upon propulsion of the apparatus bodily forwardly along the mine trackway, the kerf cutter may be sumped beneath the coal. Upon completion of the sumping cut, the truck wheels are braked, in a known manner, to hold the base stationary with respect to the trackway, and one of the turntable rotating cylinders l3, i3 is operated to rotate the turntable 2, thereby to effect swinging of the kerf cutter horizontally in its plane about the turntable axis across the front end of the base to effect the transverse cutting operation. When the tip end of the kerf cutter assumes a position adjacent the left hand rib and the swinging cut is completed, the truck wheel brake is released and the apparatus is propelled bodily rearwardly along the mine track- Way to effect withdrawal of the kerf cutter from beneath the coal. When it is desired to insert a horizontal kerf in the coal face at the roof level, hydraulic pressure is supplied to the lifting cylinders l9, 19 to swing the boom 25 in a vertical direction about its pivotal axis 24 relative to the turntable, the outer boom portion 21 swinging about its pivotal axis 28 relative to the inner indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1.

boom portion as the boom is swung vertically. Asthe boom swings vertically, the cutter head 33 may be rotated about its axis relative to the outer boom portion to adjust the kerf cutter from the bottom cutting position indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 2 to the top cutting position likewise indicated in dotted lines in that figure. By the provision of the parallel links M, 3I connecting the rearward end of the outer boom portion to the turntable frame, the outer boom portion not only swings in a vertical direction with the inner boom portion, but also swings simultaneously about its pivot relative to the inner boom portion, and, as a result, the range of vertical adjustment of the kerf cutter is greatly increased. When the kerf cutter assumes its top cutting position, the apparatus may be operated to effect sumping, swinging and withdrawal movements of the kerf cutter in accordance with the arcwall method of cutting, in the same manner as that described above in regard to the bottom out at the floor level. When it is desired to insert horizontal kerfs in the coal face at any desired location between the mine floor and mine roof, the lifting cylinders 19, I9 may be operated to swing the boom and the cutter support 35 may be swung about its pivot relative to the boom, thereby to adjust the kerf cutter through a series of parallel horizontal cutting planes. By rotating the cutter head'33 about its axis relative to the boom, the kerf cutter may be adjusted from its top cutting position above the head axis, as indicated in full lines in Fig. 2, to a horizontal cutting position below the head axis, as indicated in dotted lines in that figure. In any of the horizontal cutting positions above described, the kerf cutter maybe tilted into angularly related cutting planes with respect to the horizontal by operating the cutter support swinging cylinder 99 to swing the cutter support either upwardly or downwardly about its pivot relative to the cutter head and boom. Furthermore, during any of the horizontal cutting operations above described, the kerf cutter may be rocked with the cutter head about the head axis relative to the boom to enable the kerf cutter to follow an uneven or rolling bottom or pitching coal seam. When it is desired to insert a vertical shear cut in the coal face, the cutter head 363 may be rotated to adjust the kerf cutter into a vertical cutting position with respect to the boom. The turntable 2 may then be rotated relative to the base, and the cutter support 35 swung about its pivot relative to the cutter head to locate the kerf cutter in a vertical cutting position, as The boom may then be swung upwardly relative to the turntable by the lifting cylinders 19, I9, until the tip end of the kerf cutter assumes a posi tion at the roof level. The apparatus may then be propelled bodily forwardly along the mine trackway to sump the kerf cutter within the coal. I'he truck wheels of the base may then be braked to hold the base stationary with respect to the trackway, and the lifting cylinders l9, It may then be operated for swinging the boom downwardly in a vertical direction relative to the turntable to move the kerf cutter in a substantially upright arcuate path to effect a vertical swinging cut. 'When the tip end of the kerf cutter assumes a position at the floor level and the swinging cut is completed, the truck wheel brake may be released and the apparatus propelled bodily rearwardly along the mine trackway to effect withdrawal of the kerf cutter from the coal. By adjusting the turntable, boom, cutter head and cutter support about their respective pivotal axes, the kerf cutter may be adjusted into positions to cut horizontal and vertical kerfs in either rib at either side of the coal face, in an obvious manner. In any of the cutting operations above described, the angular relation of the kerf cutter with respect to the cutter support may be changed by releasing the locking pin 54, swinging the kerf cutter about its swivel mounting on the cutter support and thereafter relocking the kerf cutter to the cutter support.

In the modified form of the invention disclosed in Figs. 9 to 15, inclusive, the improved adjustable supporting structure for the kerf cutting .mechanism is embodied in a coal mining apparatus of the same general character as that described in the British Patent 427,881 of 1935, thereby eliminating from the British structure the double pivot for the boom on the turntable, the pivoted side arms and the rear tilting cylinder by which the boom may be tilted downwardly into a position wherein the kerf cutter is supported at the floor level. In this illustrative construction, the portable base is generally designated I20, the turntable I2I, the adjustable supporting structure generally designated and the kerf cutting mechanism I23. The portable base I2Il is in the form of a truck frame I24 supported on truck wheels I 25 adapted to run along a mine trackway I25. As shown most clearly in Fig. 12, the turntable IZI has a circular portion I21 suitably journaled within bearings supported within an upstanding bearing support I 28 formed on the truck frame. A king pin I29 extends loosely through a central opening at the center of a bearing retainer I39. Mounted on the truck frame is a bracket frame I3I which carries a series of horizontal pins on which are journaled supporting rollers I32 engaging an annular track I 33 arranged concentrically with the vertical axis of the king pin and fixed to the bottom of the turntable. It will thus be seen that the turntable occupies a horizontal plane on the truck frame by means of the rollers engaging the track. The means for rotating the turntable relative to the truck frame comprises parallel hydraulic cylinders I34, I36 mounted on the truck frame and containing reciprocable pistons I35 having their piston rods I35 extending forwardly through the packed front heads of the cylinders. Secured to the piston rods are rack bars I31, I31 guided along slide bearings I38 and meshing with the teeth of a spur gear I39 secured to the turntable. When hydraulic pressure is supplied to the hydraulic cylinders, the pistons I35 are moved in opposite directions, thereby rotating the spur gear I39 to effect rotation of the turntable. When hydraulic pressure is trapped within these cylinders, the turntable is locked against rotation relative to the truck frame. Mounted on the truck frame at the rear of the turntable is a motor Hill adapted to drive, through a transmission mechanism generally designated MI, the truck wheels to propel the apparatus in either of opposite directions along the mine trackway at a relatively slow speed appropriate for cutting and a relatively high transport speed. Driven by the motor is a pump I42 adapted to supply liquid under pressure from a reservoir I63 to the various hydraulically operated devices, as hereinafter described.

Now referring to the improved adjustable supporting structure I22, it will be noted that overlying the turntable I2I is an elongated boom I45 comprising a rear or inner boom portion I46 pivotally mounted at I41 on a horizontal pivot shaft I48 supported within upstanding brackem I49 formed on the rearward portion of the turntable frame. Pivotally mounted at I50 on the forward portion of the rear boom portion to swing relative thereto is a front or outer boom portion II. Mounted on the front boom portion for rotation about the longitudinal axis thereof is a rotatable head I52, in turn having pivotally mounted thereon at I53 on an axis at right angles to the head axis, a cutter support I54. Pivotally mounted on the cutter support to swing relative thereto about an axis at right angles to the cutter support axis is a hen" cutter I55 of the kerf cutting mechanism. Pivotally connected at I56 to projections I51 integral with the rearward portion of the outer boom portion I5I is a pair of rigid links I58, I58 herein of curved form and extending rearwardly along the opposite sides of the rear boom portion I46. These links are pivotally connected at I59 at their rearward ends on the brackets I49. The rigid links I58 provide stationary reactance points at their points of pivotal connection with the bracket-s I49, so that when the boom is swung in a vertical direction about its pivot I41 relative to the turntable, the outer boom portion IISI is swung in a vertical direction about its pivot I relative to the rear boom portion I45, and,

as a result, the outer boom portion swings through a substantially greater angle than the angle of swinging movement of the rear boom portion, thereby increasing the range of vertical adjustment of the kerf cutting mechanism. The rotatable cutter head I52 comprises a tubular frame portion I60 journaled on bearing sleeves supported by a tubular frame portion I6I, rigidly secured to the rear frame I62 of the outer boom portion NH. The tubular frame portion I60 has an annular flange I63 having bolted thereto an annulus I64, and a retaining ring I65 cooperates with a flange I66 on the rear boom frame I62 for retaining the tubular head frame in its bearings in the boom frame. Formed integral with the forward portion of the tubular head frame I60 is a circular frame I61, in which is rotatably mounted a circular frame I68 secured to the cutter support I54. The ends of the circular frame portion I61 are covered by end bracket plates I69 which are spaced apart by a circular cross plate I10 and are attached, by means of screws, to the inner circular frame portion I68. Ahanger frame I 1| is journaled on a bearing sleeve supported by a circular hearing support I12, which is secured, by means of screws, to the cross plate I10. Carried by the swivelled bar hanger I1I is an elongated plane cutter bar I13 having guided for circulation about its margin an endless cutter chain I14.

Now referring to the driving means for the cutter chain, it will be noted that carried by the rear boom portion is a motor I15 having its power shaft I16 extending longitudinally of the rear boom portion. Keyed to the forward end of the motor power shaft is a bevel gear I11 meshing with a bevel gear I18 journaled on a cross shaft I19 herein arranged with its axis alined with the pivotal axis I50 of the front boom portion. The gear I18 meshes with and drives a bevel gear I keyed to a shaft I8I, herein suitably journaled within the tubular portion I [H of the boom frame, and arranged with its axis extending longitudinally of the outer boom portion. Keyed to and driven by the shaft I8I is a bevel gear I82 meshing with a bevel gear I83 (see Fig. 14). The bevel gear I03 is provided with a hub I84 which is journaled, by means of thrust bearings I85, on a shaft I86. One end of this shaft is journaled in a bearing I81, while the other end of the shaft is provided with a cap I88, which is secured in place by screws, and the cap is journaled in a bearing I89 which is in the form of a hub extending outwardly from the left hand plate, as viewed in Fig. 14. The bevel gear I83 meshes with and drives a bevel gear I90 keyed toa shaft I9I to the outer end of which is keyed a sprocket I62 which engages and drives the endless cutter chain. The upper end of the sprocket shaft Ir'fiI is provided with a cup-shaped cap I63, which is held in place by a screw, and between the lower end of the cap and a collar S84 is a roller thrust bearing I95, the outer race of which rests on an annular seat of a support I formed on the shaft I86. The shaft I9I is journaled, near its opposite end, in adjacency to thee cutter chain sprocket, in a bearing I91 supported by the bearing support I12. It will thus be seen that the various driving gears and shafts are so arranged with respect to the pivotal axes of the outer boom portion, rotatable head, tiltable cutter support and swivelled cutter bar, that the cutter chain may be driven irrespective of the adjusted positions of the parts.

The means for swinging the boom M5, rotating the cutter head I52, and swinging the cutter support I59 and cutter bar hanger I1I will now be described. As shown most clearly in Fig. 12, pivotally mounted at 200 on alined horizontal axes at the opposite sides of the rear boom portion are upstanding hydraulic cylinders 20I, 20I containing pistons 202 having their piston rods 288 extending downwardly through the packed lower heads of the cylinders and pivotally connected at 204 to the frame of the turntable I2I. When hydraulic pressure is supplied to one end or the other of the cylinders 28L the latter may be moved relative to the pistons to swing the boom either upwardly or downwardly about its pivotal axis I41 relative to the turntable. As the boom swings vertically relative to the turntable, the outer boom portion I5I swings in a vertical direction about its pivot I50 relative to the rear boom portion I46, due to the rigid reactance links I58 connected between the front boom portion and the brackets I49 of the turntable frame, so that the outer boom portion swings through a substantially greater angle than the angle of swinging movement of the rear boom portion. When hydraulic pressure is trapped within the cylinders 28L the boom may be locked in its adjusted position. The cutter head rotating means comprises a reversible hydraulic motor 205 (Fig. 9) having its power shaft connected through worm gearing including worm wheel 285 (see Fig. 13) formed on the annulus I64 of the cutter head frame. When hydraulic pressure is supplied to the motor 285, the cutter head I52 may be rotated about its axis relative to the boom, and the self-locking teeth of the worm gearing lock automatically the cutter head in its adjusted position. The swinging means for the cutter support I54 comprises a hydraulic cylinder 201 secured to the outer boom frame and containing a reciprocable piston 208 having its piston rod 289 extending forwardly through the front packed head of the cylinder. The piston rod is pivotally connected at 2I0, at

its forward end, to a sliding cross head guided in guideways 2H formed on the boom frame. This cross head is pivotally connected to parallel links M2, in turn pivotally connected at 213 to the cover brackets I69 secured to the tiltable cutter support frame. When hydraulic pressure is supplied to one end or the other of the cylinder 23?, the piston 2% may be moved to swing the cutter support in one direction or the other relative to the cutter head, and when liquid is trapped within this cylinder, the cutter support may be locked in its adjusted position. The means for swinging the hanger frame Hi for the cutter bar about its pivot relative to the cutter support comprises a pair of hydraulic cylinders 2L5, 2l5 containing reciprocable pistons having their piston rods 2H8 extending forwardly through the front packed heads of the cylinders. The cylinders 2W are pivotally mounted at Zl'i, on axes parallel to the bar pivot axis, on brackets 218 secured to the cutter support frame, and the piston rods are pivotally connected at 219 on parallel axes to projecting lugs 228 formed integral with the cutter bar hanger frame. When hydraulic pressure is supplied to the cylinders 2l5, the cutter bar may be swung about its pivot relative to the cutter support in one direction or the other, and by trapping the liquid within the cylinders, the cutter bar may be locked in its adjusted position.

' The hydraulic fluid system for supplying hydraulic pressure to the various hydraulically operated devices, as shown in Fig. 15, comprises a conduit 225 leading from the discharge side of the pump M2 to the supply passage of a valve box 226 supported on the truck frame. The discharge passage of the valve box is connected by a discharge conduit 227 back to the reservoir Hi3. Contained in the valve box are control valves 228, 229, 2353, 23d and 232, each having an operating handle. The bore containing the valve 228 is connected by a conduit 233 to the opposite ends of the turntable rotating cylinders H54 and by a conduit 2% to the other ends of these cylinders. The bore containing the valve 29 is connected by a conduit 2&5 to the opposite ends of the bar swinging cylinders 2!? and by a conduit 2% to the other ends of these cylinders. The bore containing the valve 238 is connected by conduits 23? and 238 to the opposite ends of the boom lifting cylinders 29!, while the bore containing the valve 275i is connected by conduits 23S and 2811 to the opposite sides of the head rotating motor 205. The bore containing the valve 232 is connected by conduits 2d! and 242 to the opposite ends of the cutter support tilting cylinder 281. It will thus be seen that the valves may be operated to supply liquid under pressure to the various hydraulically operated devices to operate the same in either of opposite directions, so that the parts adjusted thereby may be moved in either of opposite directions, and by trapping the liquid pressure within the cylinder and piston devices, the parts may be locked in their adjusted position. The valve box 226 and the control valves may be similar to those described above in regard to the other embodiment of the invention.

The general mode of operation of this embodiment of the invention is as follows: The apparatus may be propelled along the mine trackway from one working place to another and during the cutting operation, through the propelling mechanism Ml driven by the motor I40, in the manner clearly described in the above mentioned. British patent. The apparatus may be operated to cut horizontal and vertical kerfs at any desired location in the coal face between the mine roof and mine floor and between and in the ribs in the same general manner as that described above in the other embodiment of the invention. During any of the horizontal and vertical cutting operations, the kerf cutter, in this construction, may be swung by power about its pivot relative to the cutter support. As the boom M5 is swung either upwardly or downwardly about its pivot id? relative to the turntable [2H, the outer boom portion I5I, due to the parallel reactance links I58 connecting the front boom portion to the turntable frame, swings not only in a vertical direction with the inner boom portion Hi6, but also in a vertical direction about its pivot Mil relative to the inner boom portion, and, as a result, the outer boom portion swings through a'substantially greater angle than the angle of swing of the inner boom portion. Consequently a relatively wide range of vertical adjustment of the kerf cutter is possible with a relatively small range of vertical adjustment of the boom lifting cylinders 28!. In this form of the invention, by the provision of the joint between the front and rear boom parts and the parallel reactance links, it is possible to eliminate the side arms, front boom pivot and rear boom tilting cylinder of the construction described in the British patent, since, in the present construotion, as the boom swings downwardly toward the turntable, the front boom portion l5! automatically assumes a position at a substantial angle downwardly inclined relative to the rear boom portion, thereby enabling positioning of the kerf cutter at the floor level, as shown in the lower dotted line position in Fig. 10. Also, as the boom is swung upwardly relative to the turntable, the outer boom portion automatically assumes a position at an angle upwardly inclined relative to the inner boom portion, thereby increasing the vertical range of adjustment of the boom disclosed in the British patent.

As a result of this invention, it will be noted that an improved coal mining apparatus is provided having an improved adjustable supporting structure for the kerf cutter whereby a relatively wide range of vertical adjustment of the kerf cutter is possible. It will further be noted that by forming the boom in two parts joined together and by connecting the outer boom part by parallel reactance links to relatively stationary points, it is possible to adjust the kerf cutter through a relatively wide range with a relatively small range of adjustment of the boom elevating cylinders, while at the same time the point of support of the kerf cutter moves inwardly toward the center of the turntable, as the boom swings vertically, thereby decreasing the overhang of the boom with respect to the base as the vertical adjustment of the kerf cutter is increased. Other uses and advantages of the improved coal mining apparatus Will be clearly apparent to those skilled in the art.

While there are in this application specifically described two forms which the invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that these forms of the same are shown for purposes of illustration and that the invention may be modified and embodied in various other forms without departing from its spirit or the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In combination, a cutter bar, a cutter bar supporting head, a pivotal mounting for said bar on said head, an elongated outer boom section providing a pivotal mounting for said head on an axis extending transversely to the length of said boom section and parallel to the planes or bar swing upon the pivotal mounting of the bar on the head, and means for supporting and swinging said outer boom section and providing automatically for augmented swinging thereof including an elongated inner boom section, means providing a horizontal pivotal mounting for the latter at its inner end, means pivotally connecting the inner end of the outer boom section to the outer end of the inner boom section on a parallel pivot, an elongated tie-forming element connected to and a piston pivotally connected with said inner boom section, and link means pivotally connected at one end on an axis in the same straight line with the pivotal support for said cylinder and at its other end pivotally connected with the inner end of the outer boom section upon an axis above the connection of the latter with the inner boom section.

4. In a mining apparatus, a portable support, a rearward boom section, means for supporting said rearward boom section for vertical swinging movement about a horizontal pivot axis adjacent its rear end arranged at a fixed height upon said portable support, a front boom section pivotally connected upon a parallel horizontal pivotal axis with the forward end of said rearward boom section, a cutter bar supporting head pivotally 1 supported upon the forward end of the front the outer boom section at a point above the pivotal connection of the latter with the inner boom section and at a spaced point having a stationary pivotal support in spaced relation to the pivot for the inner boom section, and means for swingingly raising and lowering the inner boom section including hydraulic cylinder and piston devices pivotally connected to the inner boom section and to a stationary point of reaction.

2. In combination, a cutter bar, a cutter bar supporting head, a pivotal mounting for said bar on said head, an elongated outer boom section providing a pivotal mounting for said head on an axis extending transversely to the length of said boom section and parallel to the planes of bar swing upon the pivotal mounting of the bar on the head, and means for supporting and swinging said outer boom section and providing automatically for augmented swinging thereof including an elongated inner boom section, means providing a horizontal pivotal mounting for the latter at its inner end, means pivotally connecta ing the inner end of the outer boom section to the outer end of the inner boom section on a parallel pivot, a tie-forming element connected to the outer boom section at a point above the pivotal connection of the latter with the inner boom section and at a spaced point having a stationary pivotal support in spaced relation to the pivot for the inner boom section, and means for swingingly raising and lowering the inner boom section including expansible chamber thrust-exerting devices pivotally connected to the inner boom section at a point below the connection to the latter of said outer boom section and to a stationary point of reaction.

3. In combination, a cutter bar, a cutter bar supporting head, a pivotal mounting for said bar on said head, an elongated cuter boom section providing a pivotal mounting for said head on an axis extending transversely to the length of said boom section and parallel to the planes of bar swing upon the pivotal mounting of the bar on the head, and means for supporting and swinging said outer boom section and providing automatically for augmented swinging thereof including an elongated inner boom section, means providing a horizontal pivotal mounting for the latter at its inner end, means pivotally connecting the inner end of the outer boom section to the outer end of the inner boom section on a parallel pivot, means for swinging the inner boom section in vertical planes upon its pivotal mounting including a cylinder pivotally supported on an axis parallel to and in fixed spaced relation to the pivotal support for the inner boom section,

boom section for tilting movement upon an axis parallel to said first and second mentioned axes, a cutting-element-carrying cutter bar swingably supported on said cutter-bar-supporting head for swinging movement in planes parallel to said third mentioned axis, means for holding said bar in different fixed angular relations to said head to which it may be swung, means for moving said head upon said third axis and holding it in different adjusted positions, means extending between the rearward boom section and said sup port for swinging said rearward boom section upon said first mentioned pivot axis, means for effecting automatically relative swinging of said front boom section relative to the rear boom section when the latter is swung as aforesaid including link means pivotally connected at its opposite ends respectively to said portable support and to said front boom section and having said pivotal connections at opposite sides of the planes defined jointly by said first and second men tioned axes, and means for actuating said cutting elements including a motor driven shaft upon said rearward boom section and driving connections operative in all positions of said boom sections relative to each other and of said head relative to the forward boom section for transmitting power from said shaft to said cutting elements.

5. In combination, a cutter bar, a cutter bar supporting head, a pivotal mounting for said bar on said head, an elongated outer boom section providing a pivotal mounting for said head on an axis extending transversely to the length of said boom section and parallel to the planes of bar swing upon the pivotal mounting of the bar on the head, and means for supporting and swinging said outer boom section and providing automatically for augmented swinging thereof including an elongated inner boom section, means providing a horizontal pivotal mounting for the latter at its inner end, means pivotally connecting the inner end of the outer boom section to the outer end of the inner boom section on a parallel pivot, a tie-forming element connected to the outer boom section at a point above the pivotal connection of the latter with the inner boom section and at a spaced point having a stationar pivotal support in spaced relation to the pivot for the inner boom section, and means for swingingly raising and lowering the inner boom section including devices exerting directly on said inner boom section a swinging force, said devices pivotally connected to the inner boom section and to a stationary point of reaction.

CHARLES F. OSGOOD.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION. Patent No. 2,28l;.,677. June 2, 19:2.

CHARLES F. OSGOOD.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 1, first column, line 25, for "objections" read --objects--; page 2, second column, line 75, and page 5, first column, lines 1 and 2, strike out the words and period "Due to the particular arrangement of the driving gears with respect to the pivotal axes chain 55."; page 5, second column, line 2b., for "thee" read --the; page 6, first column, line us, for "conduit 21 read -conduit 255; and that the said Letters Patent, should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 22nd day of September, A. D. l9LL2.

- Henry Van Arsdale,

I (Seal) A"ting Commissioner of Patents. 

